Always in Her Heart Read Free Page A

to an untimely end.
    He rubbed at the tension that had taken up residence at the back of his neck since the state police call had wakened him with the news of Davis and Becca’s accident. He and Davis smiled from the silver-framed photo atop the bookcase, taken the day they’d won the tennis doubles cup. He’d never hear Davis laugh again, never enjoy the interplay of ideas as they planned a new project, never see Davis’s joy in his baby daughter.
    Something steeled inside him. All he could do now for his friend was to ensure Marcy’s inheritance. All he could do to protect the life he’d built in Lakeview was to save the company. Everyone in town knew how quickly Frank had run through his inheritance from his father. He wouldn’t let that happen to the company, for Marcy’s sake and his own. If the only way to those aims was marrying Annie, so be it.
    An image of Annie’s stubborn face formed in his mind. Now he had to convince the bride.
    Once, he’d been intrigued by that cool exterior of hers, wanting to know what lay behind it. He’d thought he was breaking through to her until everything blew up in the face of Davis’s sudden decision to elope.
    He might be able to reach Annie again, but that armor of hers was probably stronger than it had been before.
    The phone rang, and he reached for it. He’d given Vera Rowland, their secretary-receptionist, the dayoff, assuming he’d get nothing accomplished so soon after the funeral.
    â€œLink?”
    Annie’s voice sent him bolt upright in his chair. She sounded panic-stricken, and it took a lot to panic Annie Gideon.
    â€œWhat is it? What’s wrong?”
    â€œFrank and Julia are here—” She choked on the words. “You’d better come.”
    â€œI’ll be right there.” He was on his feet as he said the words. “Hang on.”
    He covered the small outer office in a few strides and slammed out the door. Crossing the street, he jogged diagonally across the pocket-size park that formed Lakeview’s town square. At this hour on a September afternoon the only occupants were a couple of mothers with strollers and two elderly men feeding the squirrels. The park, like the Conrad house, exuded stability, roots, belonging. All the things he hadn’t had before he’d come to Lakeview. All the things he wouldn’t give up.
    The door was unlocked, and he didn’t bother to knock. Apprehension carried him into the living room.
    Annie clutched Marcy, with Frank and Julia pressing in on her. Embattled, she sent him a look of appeal mingled with relief. That must be some kind of first—for Annie to feel relief at the sight of him.
    He moved toward them, feeling the balance of power shifting at his presence. Frank had obviouslyplanned some sort of preemptive strike. Well, it wasn’t going to work.
    â€œFrank, Julia.” He’d keep a polite demeanor if it killed him. Losing his temper with Frank would only play into the man’s hands. “What are you doing here?”
    Frank’s smile didn’t falter. “I told Annie there was no need to call you. This is family business.”
    â€œAnd I’m an outsider, I suppose. Annie did call me, so that means she wants me here.”
    Annie was putting up a good front, but fear filled her brown eyes. “They wanted Marcy.”
    He moved closer, putting his arm around her and the baby. She stiffened, then relaxed as if accepting that he was on her side.
    He focused on her face, intent on erasing the fear. Frank shouldn’t know she was afraid. “No one is taking Marcy. We won’t let that happen.”
    â€œThis is family business,” Frank repeated. “As Davis’s closest living relatives, my wife and I are the logical people to take care of little Marcy.”
    â€œAnd take care of little Marcy’s inheritance, too, I suppose.” His anger sparked.
    Frank didn’t seem